Lexington County Court Records Search
SouthCarolinaCourts.us is not a consumer reporting agency as defined by the FCRA and does not provide consumer reports. All searches conducted on SouthCarolinaCourts.us are subject to the Terms of Service and Privacy Notice.
Lexington County, South Carolina, operates a court system that follows the state’s five-tier trial court structure, encompassing Circuit Courts, Family Courts, a Probate Court, Magistrate Courts, and Municipal Courts. Each court handles distinct categories of legal matters, and understanding which court holds which records is the practical starting point for any records search in the county. The elected Clerk of Court, Lisa M. Comer, maintains all records for the Court of General Sessions (criminal), the Court of Common Pleas (civil), and the Family Court — all housed at the Marc H. Westbrook Judicial Center in Lexington.
Finding Court Records in South Carolina:
Requesters in South Carolina can access Lexington County court records through several channels: in-person visits to clerk offices, written mail requests, and official online search tools. The South Carolina Judicial Branch maintains public case record search tools that cover Circuit, Common Pleas, and Family Court cases across all counties. The state courts website at SouthCarolinaCourts.us may also assist in locating publicly available court case information across the state. For the most complete and legally certified records, the relevant clerk’s office remains the authoritative source.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Lexington County?
Online Case Search Tools
Two primary online portals serve Lexington County court records searches:
- SC Judicial Branch Case Records Search: The South Carolina Judicial Branch Case Records Search covers Circuit Court (General Sessions and Common Pleas) case records for Lexington County (Circuit 11, County 32). Searches can be conducted by case name, case number, case type, or court agency at no charge. Some Municipal Court records are also included in the Public Index.
- Family Court Public Portal: The Family Court Public Access Portal provides online access to Family Court case records and dockets. Searches can be run by individual name, business name, or case number. An attorney access portal is also available for licensed attorneys using their Information System ID and password.
In-Person Access
All in-person records requests for Circuit Court and Family Court cases go through the Clerk of Court’s office at the Judicial Center. Requesters should bring a valid government-issued photo ID. The clerk’s office is located in Suite 128 of the Judicial Center and serves the public Monday through Friday during standard courthouse hours.
Lexington County Clerk of Court
Address: 205 East Main Street, Suite 128, Lexington, SC 29072
Phone: (803) 785-8212
Fax: (803) 785-2215
Mail Requests
Written mail requests for court records should be addressed to the Clerk of Court at the address above. Each request should include the case name, case number or filing date, the type of record needed, a copy of a government-issued ID, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and payment by check or money order covering applicable fees.
Are Court Records Public in Lexington County?
Court records in Lexington County are public records under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Title 30, Chapter 4 of the South Carolina Code of Laws. The FOIA establishes that all books, papers, recordings, and documents in the possession of public bodies — including Lexington County courts — are open to the public for inspection, viewing, and copying.
Restricted Record Categories
The FOIA carves out specific exemptions that withhold certain records from public disclosure. The following categories are not available to the general public:
- Records sealed by a judge or court order
- Expunged criminal records
- Juvenile records
- Adoption records
- Medical records and hospital medical staff reports
- Income tax returns
- Family court medication records
- Records containing confidential law enforcement source information
- Records containing trade secrets
- Records whose disclosure could endanger lives or public safety
- Records containing personally identifying information that would constitute a privacy breach
Redaction Requirements
South Carolina law requires that certain personal identifiers be redacted before court records are released to the public. Specifically, Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, and financial account numbers are removed from copies provided to requesters. Emergency and escape response plans within court records are similarly redacted before issuance.
Lexington County Criminal Court Records
Criminal matters in Lexington County are handled by the Court of General Sessions, which is the state-level criminal trial court operating within the Circuit Court system. The Clerk of Court maintains all General Sessions case records. The court handles felony prosecutions and serious criminal cases, while Magistrate Courts and Municipal Courts handle misdemeanors, infractions, and traffic offenses.
Searching Criminal Court Cases
General Sessions criminal case records for Lexington County can be searched through the SC Judicial Branch Case Records Search. For Magistrate Court and Bond Court matters, the Lexington County Public Index maintained by the SC 11th Judicial Circuit Solicitor’s office provides additional public record access.
Statewide Criminal Background Checks — SLED
For a formal statewide criminal background check, requests are processed by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED). The fee for a SLED criminal background check is $25.00 per report. SLED checks cover statewide criminal history records and are available online through the SLED website.
Arrest Records — Lexington County Sheriff’s Department
The Lexington County Sheriff’s Department maintains arrest records for incidents within its jurisdiction. The Sheriff’s Records Unit is located at 521 Gibson Road, Lexington, SC 29072. Requests for incident reports and arrest records are processed under the FOIA.
Sheriff’s Department FOIA Fees
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Search, retrieval, and redaction | $22.00 per hour |
| CD/DVD | $5.00 each |
| Black and white copy (letter size) | $0.25 per page |
| Color copy (letter size) | $0.75 per page |
| Black and white copy (legal size) | $0.50 per page |
| Color copy (legal size) | $1.00 per page |
A 25% deposit is required before any FOIA request is fulfilled. The balance must be paid in full before records are released. Payment must be made by cashier’s check payable to the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department. FOIA requests can be submitted using the LCSD FOIA Request Form in person at 521 Gibson Road or by email to FOIA@lcsd.sc.gov.
Magistrate and Bond Courts
Criminal bond proceedings take place at the Lexington County Magistrate Court — Bond Court, which also serves as the Preliminary Hearing Court:
Lexington County Magistrate Court — Bond Court
Address: 521 Gibson Road, Lexington, SC 29072
Phone: (803) 785-2845
Fax: (803) 785-8356
Lexington County Civil Court Records
Civil matters in Lexington County — including contract disputes, foreclosures, lien claims, tenancy issues, breach of contract, real estate matters, civil equity actions, and bond proceedings — are heard in the Court of Common Pleas, which operates under the Circuit Court. The Clerk of Court maintains all Common Pleas filings and case records. The Civil Division of the Circuit Court can hear cases of all monetary amounts, with smaller civil matters sometimes handled by Magistrate Courts.
Searching Civil Records
Civil case records for the Court of Common Pleas are searchable through the SC Judicial Branch Case Records Search tool by party name, case number, or case type. Viewing records online is free. Obtaining certified or paper copies from the clerk’s office requires a fee.
In-Person and Mail Requests
Requests for civil court records can be made in person at the Clerk of Court, Suite 128, 205 East Main Street, or by mail. Requesters must present a government-issued ID and include payment for copy fees. The amount charged varies based on the number of pages and whether certified copies are required.
Lexington County Family Court Records
The Lexington County Family Court is the exclusive venue under South Carolina law for all matters involving marriage, divorce, legal separation, child custody and visitation, child support, domestic abuse, alimony, termination of parental rights, adoption, name changes, guardianship of minors, foster care, juvenile matters, and mental health commitments. The Family Court operates at the same Judicial Center location as the Circuit Court, with the clerk’s office on the second floor (Suite 227).
Lexington County Family Court
Address: 205 East Main Street, Suite 227, Lexington, SC 29072
Phone: (803) 785-8212
Fax: (803) 785-2215
Accessing Family Court Records Online
The Family Court Public Access Portal allows members of the public to search Family Court case records and dockets by individual name, business name, or case number. Note that certain Family Court records — particularly those involving adoption, child custody, and juvenile proceedings — are restricted from public access and will not appear in the portal.
Confidential Family Court Records
Access to adoption records and child custody records requires either party status in the case or a court order. Juvenile records are strictly confidential and are not accessible through public search tools. Persons involved in restricted cases should contact the Clerk of Family Court directly for guidance on eligibility and access procedures.
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses are issued and maintained by the Lexington County Probate Court. Certified copies of marriage licenses cost $5.25 each, payable by check or money order for mail requests, or cash for in-person requests. Requesters must complete the Certified Marriage License Request Form and include the names of the couple, year of marriage, phone number, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Lexington County also provides an online Marriage License Information search covering records from 1986 to the present.
Divorce Records
Certified copies of divorce records are available through the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) for divorces from 1962 forward. Eligible requesters (the divorced parties, their legal representatives, adult children, or former spouses) must complete the Vital Records Divorce Application Form. The fee is $12.00 for the search (non-refundable) and $3.00 per additional copy. Mail requests require check or money order payable to SCDHEC. In-person requests may be paid by cash or credit/debit card.
DHEC Vital Records — Mail Requests
Address: DHEC Vital Records, 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Lexington County Probate Court Records
The Lexington County Probate Court is located on the main floor of the Judicial Center and handles estate administration, marriage license issuance, guardianships and conservatorships for adults, conservatorships for minors, and mental health commitments. Judge presides over this court, which is distinct from and operates separately from the Circuit and Family Courts.
Lexington County Probate Court
Address: 205 East Main Street, Suite 134, Lexington, SC 29072
Phone: (803) 785-8324
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Probate Case Searches
The Probate Court provides four online case search tools:
- Estate Search (1865–1994)
- Marriage Search (1911–1987)
- Estate Search (1995–Present)
- Marriage License Search (1986–Present)
For records not covered by these tools, in-person or mail requests to the Probate Court are required.
Probate Court Fee Schedule
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified Copy (plus $0.25 per page) | $5.00 base fee |
| Exemplified/Authenticated Copy | $20.00 |
| Photo Copies (per page) | $0.25 |
| Accounting (Conservatorship only) | $10.00 |
| Demand for Notice | $5.00 |
| Marriage License | $30.00 |
| Marriage License Correction | $6.75 |
| Guardianship | $150.00 |
| Conservatorship | $150.00 |
| Litigation (Petitions/Complaints/Summons) | $150.00 |
| Subsequent Administration (re-open estate) | $22.50 |
Estate Filing Fees (based on gross estate value)
| Estate Value | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| $0 – $4,999 | $25.00 |
| $5,000 – $19,999 | $45.00 |
| $20,000 – $59,999 | $67.50 |
| $60,000 – $99,999 | $95.00 |
| $100,000 – $599,999 | $95.00 + 0.0015 of amount over $100,000 |
| $600,000 and above | $845.00 + 0.0025 of amount over $600,000 |
Small Estate Affidavit Fees
| Total Value | Fee |
|---|---|
| Below $100.00 | $12.50 |
| $100.00 – $4,999.99 | $25.00 |
| $5,000.00 – $19,999.99 | $45.00 |
| $20,000.00 – $25,000.00 | $67.50 |
Probate forms are available through the court’s Probate Forms page. Requesters are encouraged to consult an attorney for specific estate legal questions before proceeding with filings.